# Teacher strikes and protests in Mexico and Bolivia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/teacher-strikes-and-protests-in-mexico-and-bolivia
> Updated: 2026-10-23T06:00:03.000Z. Sources: 577. Developments: 2.

In Oaxaca, Mexico, indigenous teachers from CNTE Section 22 ended a 72-hour strike following an agreement with the Secretariat of Public Education. However, union representatives described the government response as “null” due to a lack of decision-making officials. The teachers' demands include the recognition of the General Directorate of Education for Original Peoples, filling up to 1,800 vacancies, and an audit of the State Institute of Public Education regarding alleged resource diversion. Following the conclusion of their demonstration with a march to the city's Zócalo, the union warned of potential future unrest. They have set a tentative date of October 19 to resume negotiations, noting that workers will decide whether future actions will be local or federal. Demands also include the regularization of certain workers and progress on the Oaxaca Indigenous Education Law.

In Bolivia, the Confederation of Urban Education Workers launched a 24-hour national strike to protest government plans to decentralize technical education. Union leaders claim the reform seeks to weaken labor unity and facilitate privatization. Protests in Sucre and La Paz resulted in confrontations with police using chemical agents. Beyond educational reforms, Bolivian teachers are also demanding salary increases to address an economic crisis caused by cuts to fuel subsidies. Recent mobilizations in Bolivia have seen continued strikes and marches in La Paz, Cochabamba, and Sucre. Teachers argue that decentralizing the administration of technical and technological institutes to departmental governments threatens public education quality and lacks adequate funding. In Sucre, demonstrators reported police use of gas, while clashes occurred near the Ministry of Education in La Paz. Additionally, heavy rainfall in La Paz caused the Choqueyapu River to reach near-overflow levels, damaging a school and a residence.

## Claims

- The CGT trade union claimed 800,000 people participated in the protests. (disputed by 17 sources)
- The French Ministry of the Interior estimated approximately 410,000 participants in the nationwide demonstrations. (disputed by 13 sources)
- Nearly 1,000 people were arrested during the protests on October 24, 2026. (disputed by 9 sources)
- Authorities arrested 135 people during the demonstrations. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Over 1,000 people were arrested during the demonstrations. (disputed by 2 sources)
- Approximately 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed for the demonstrations. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- Protests were held in response to the rising cost of living. (corroborated by 17 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: France protests over living costs spark nationwide clashes

Hundreds of thousands protested across France on October 24 over living costs and education funding, leading to violent clashes with police in Paris, Marseille, and other cities despite a massive security surge

564 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivia-faces-national-teacher-strike-and-us-visa-revocations

### 2026-10-07: Oaxaca indigenous teachers end 72-hour strike amid unresolved demands

Indigenous teachers in Oaxaca ended a 72-hour strike after reaching an agreement with the SEP, but warn of further protests if demands for 1,800 teaching vacancies and administrative reforms are not met.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oaxaca-indigenous-teachers-end-72-hour-strike-amid-unresolved-demands

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Cite as: Teacher strikes and protests in Mexico and Bolivia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/teacher-strikes-and-protests-in-mexico-and-bolivia